April 20, 2013 | Print View
Several stars of 2012 were in action Saturday morning in qualifying action at the Meadowlands, including a star-laden field that went behind the gate in the 12th and final race of the session. When the dust settled in that contest it was New York Sires Stakes champion Major Bombay who emerged victorious in 1:53 in his debut as a 4 year old. Also winning a qualifier in her first appearance of 2013 was 2012 O'Brien Award winner I Luv The Nitelife in 1:55.3, while 2012 Breeders Crown champion won his second straight qualifier with a 1:53 effort.
Driven by Andy Miller for trainer Tony Alagna, Major Bombay closed out his mile with a final quarter of :26 flat to score by two lengths over Hurrikane Kingcole--he of last year's 1:47.3 winning effort at the Meadowlands, with Mel Mara third and Dynamic Youth fourth. Finishing fifth in his 2013 debut was 2011 division champ and 2012 Tattersalls Pace victor Sweet Lou, who sat sixth for most of the mile for driver Yannick Gingras before crossing the wire four lengths behind Major Bombay.
I Luv The Nitelife, whose four wins last year included the $616,700 She's A Great Lady final, a $108,700 Bluegrass division and an Eternal Camnation split, romped home a 7 3/4-length winner for driver Tim Tetrick, who was in the sulky for trainer Chris Ryder.
Rockin Amadeus, who capped off his stellar freshman season with a victory in the $600,000 Breeders Crown final, won his first qualifer on April 13 at the Big M in 1:54.1 and on Saturday lowered his season mark to 1:53. Yannick Gingras drove for trainer Jimmy Takter. Dedi's Dragon, with Brian Sears driving, was second, with Metro consolation winner Martini Hanover third.
Corky, who won the 2012 New Jersey Sires Stakes championship for 2-year-old colt trotters, is now two-for-two in 2013 qualifiers following a 1:56.4 effort for driver David Miller and trainer Takter. Considered one of this year's leading sophomore contenders, Corky also finished second in last year's Peter Haughton Memorial.
Undercover Strike, a staple on the WEG circuit last year in Canada as he racked up 11 victories, scored a 1:56.4 victory for driver David Miller and trainer Tony O'Sullivan. The Takter-trained and driven Superstar Hanover finished second, ahead of Another Amoretto. Finishing fourth in his season debut was 2012 Kentucky Futurity winner My MVP.
The 3-year-old filly pacer Authorize, driven by Sears for trainer Alagna, was a nose better than Wherethegirlsare and Ron Pierce in 1:56.1. Finishing fourth was Pennsylvania Sires Stakes champion Handsoffmycupcake.
